The last 2 anonymous posts just want to accept what is, instead of what was and could be again. If you enjoy strict playlists, you'll always enjoy listening to commercial radio so they can get ratings. To hell with the listener, let's just get ratings the stations scream. It requires no effort to play what will be popular. If a song has that certain sound or formula it gets added. For the rest of you that have an interest in variety, I suggest you try the internet, you'll never get variety on the radio.

to quote you anonymous
"To hell with the listener, let's just get ratings the stations scream. "

obviously the station cares about the listener, that is why they play the music. The listener listens, likes the music, and keeps on listening to the station.. hence why ratings go up, they care for listeners...

Then why ever hire an individual person?
I remember an one hour Air Canada return flight wearing the mono ear-piece - Alan Cross saved my entire trip from being a complete waste of time. Because he makes an effort!

Too many (see Microserf) people who dispassionately follow along, don't (and will never understand that point). Thanks for recalling a forgotten saying of mine Mr. Cross: "tuneage".
Best Wishes.

Latest news on CFNY changing its call letters:
They've decided to go with "AM102". An inside edge source reports the following:
We still want people to know we're chock-full of edgy goodness so one of the slogans we've been toying around with is" All the edge you'd expect from an AM radio station and only half the fat"

To quote from above: "For the rest of you that have an interest in variety, I suggest you try the internet, you'll never get variety on the radio."

That's the reality... there are more people out there who don't have an interest in variety. Sure, you can listen on the Internet to get more obscure or varied music, but only a "minority" of people are interested in that stuff.

The Edge just pulled down fairly decent numbers in the last ratings book... introducing music nobody has ever heard of is not a smart move at this point. I doubt they'll change anything.

Nobody knew who R.E.M. or U2 were when they released their first records. The Spirit played them. That's one of a ton of examples. It's obvious some of you really didn't listen much if at all to this station from the late 70's to the mid 80's. You're at the wrong site. The one you need to be at is called the edge. See ya!

I see the debate is strong and healthy. Here are a few suggestions of artists/bands that 102 could play: Covenant, Wolsheim, Client, Karl Bartos, Lisa Gerrard. Look, it doesn't have to be a zero sum game - either all ground-breaking and fresh or all corporate and stale. You can mix some ground-breaking and fresh in with the regular playlist and see what reaction you get from the listeners. Peace.

Times change... and things evolve. Music changes, people grow older. When it comes down to it, when you go back 15 years in YOUR life... the music you so often refer to here... was nothing more then the music the 102.1 The Edge plays now.

You're very wrong about that one. I don't *need* to leave it at that, but I will.

"Nobody knew who R.E.M. or U2 were when they released their first records. The Spirit played them."

Are you telling me that REM and U2 never would have made it big without CFNY - The Spirit of Radio playing then? Puhlease! They found their way and made it huge worldwide -- and I'm sure that airplay on CFNY was not the fuel that powered the engine.

It's so frustrating - I can hear the music in my head... the songs as they are played... Brother Bill comes on inbetween songs and he is actually pleased and interested in the music that he is playing - with nary a hint of snide or sarcasm. People actually keep listening because... they don't want to miss the next song.

The personalities are great, but the music is better. The music is commercially appealing, but nothing is played so much that it gets annoying. Simple formulas like "never play a song more than once a day" prevail as not just kind wisdom but obvious sense.

The playlists are not handicapped into simplistic genres such as "guitar rock", "synthesizer pop" or "rap". Instead, compelling combinations of each exist and are actually mixed together frequently throughout the day. People actually listen to music because it is generally felt that musicians have something to say.

This is bugging my head because I can hear each song in the back of my mind - I can see the playlists - I can visualize the song sequences - but I can't find the station on my radio.

Davey Marsden, where did you say that your call numbers where? How come I can't pick up 94.9? I get 94.1 and 95.7 ... maybe I am just picking up your show in my head... I go inbetween High park and Mr&Mrs Sauga everyday but I don't get no 94.9 anywhere along the way... can't you boost that little signal of yours a bit?

You've captured The Spirit Of Radio. Some people in this thread don't have a clue and it's made obvious from the junk they spew out here. They think the station over the last 16 years has been just fine and is wonderful today. You people are a joke.